EP0399498A1 - Air bag system - Google Patents
Air bag system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0399498A1 EP0399498A1 EP90109807A EP90109807A EP0399498A1 EP 0399498 A1 EP0399498 A1 EP 0399498A1 EP 90109807 A EP90109807 A EP 90109807A EP 90109807 A EP90109807 A EP 90109807A EP 0399498 A1 EP0399498 A1 EP 0399498A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- gas generator
- air bag
- passenger
- pressure gas
- delay
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
- B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
- B60R21/017—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including arrangements for providing electric power to safety arrangements or their actuating means, e.g. to pyrotechnic fuses or electro-mechanic valves
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to an air bag system for protecting passenger in an automotive vehicle from collision onto vehicular interior facility, window and so forth in case of accident. More specifically, the invention relates to an air bag system which has dual gas generators and can reduce shock on the driver upon firing.
- SAE paper SP-736, P108, "Automatic Occupant Protection System” discloses an air bag system, particularly adapted for protection of passenger on an assist seat.
- the proposed air bag system employs dual gas generators for firing at different timing so that the internal pressure in the air bag can be risen in two different pressure rising characteristics.
- Such proposal may achieve in certain degree of reduction of initial shock to be exerted on the passenger upon initial firing of the first gas generator. This can be achieved by utilizing smaller capacity gas generator than that employs singular gas generator. However, on the other hand, since the proposed duel gas generator system employs two equal capacity gas generators, level of reduction of shock on the passenger is not satisfactory.
- an air bag system for an automotive vehicle includes gas generator means for generating a pressurized gas for expanding an air bag for restricting movement of a passenger and thus for preventing the passenger from colliding onto the vehicular interior facility and/or a windshield.
- the gas generator means comprises a low pressure gas generator and a high pressure gas generator having mutually different gas generation capacity. Upon collision, the low pressure gas generator is triggered to fire at earlier timing that that of the high pressure gas generator for reducing impact exerted on the passenger at the initial stage of air bag actuation.
- an air bag system for an automotive vehicle comprises: a first gas generator for generating a first pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag; a second gas generator for generating a second pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag, the second pressure level being so selected as to be higher than that of the first level and that the total pressure level of the first and second pressure levels is satisfies a required level for restricting passenger's movement; a power source for supplying power for firing the first and gas generator in response to detection of vehicular collision; and a delay means for providing a given delay in power supply for the second gas generator so that the second gas generator is triggered with the given delay time from trigger timing of the first gas generator.
- the delay means comprises an ON-delay timer for providing delay time corresponding to a preset time constant.
- an air bag system has an air bag unit 1 which is facilitated on a instrument panel in front of an assist seat of the vehicle.
- the air bag system is provided with a low pressure gas generator 2 and a high pressure gas generator 3.
- the capacities of the low pressure gas generator 2 and the high pressure gas generator 3 are selected so that the gas generation capacity of the low pressure gas generator 2 is smaller than that of the high pressure gas generator 3 and the total gas generation capacity is that required for restricting the passenger's movement for preventing the passenger from colliding onto the vehicular interior facility and/or the front windshield.
- the low pressure gas generator 2 and the high pressure gas generator 3 are connected to connected between a vehicular battery 4 as a power source and a collision sensor 5, in parallel relationship to each other.
- a delay means 6 is provided in series to the high pressure gas generator.
- the delay means 6 may comprise a timer circuit having a time constant of 10 msec to 30 msec.
- Another air bag unit 7 is installed in a steering wheel 9 for protecting the driver from collision onto the steering wheel and/or the front windshield.
- the air bag unit 7 has a has generator 8.
- the gas generator 8 is connected between the battery 4 and the collision sensor 5 in parallel relationship to the low and high pressure gas generators 2 and 3 of the air bag unit 1.
- the collision sensor 5 detects collision of the vehicle. Principally, the collision sensor 5 detects front side collision to establish closed circuit across respective gas generators 2, 3 and 8. The gas generators 2 and 8 instantly reacts to initiation of power supply to fire for generating pressure gas within an air bag for expansion thereof. At this moment, since the power supply for the high pressure gas generator 3 is delayed by the delay timer 6, the high pressure gas generator 3 is held non fired state. After expiration of the predetermined delay period, the high pressure gas generator 3 is fired to rapidly increase the gas pressure in the air bag opposing the assist seat.
- the air bag for the passenger on the assist seat is initially expanded with relatively low pressure gas generated by the low pressure gas generator 2, the impact to be exerted on the assist seat passenger at the initial stage of air bag actuation can be successfully reduced.
- the pressure gas generators 2 and 3 in combination provides sufficient pressure for restricting movement of the passenger, there is no degradation of safety assurance.
- the delay means may be modified as shown in Fig. 2.
- a switching transistor 11 is provided in a circuit connecting the high pressure gas generator 3 to the battery 4.
- the switching transistor 11 has the base electrode connected to the battery 4 via a delay timer 6.
- the switching transistor 11 is maintained non-conductive for a given period determined by the time constant of the delay timer. Therefore, similar delay of trigger timing in firing the gas generator to that of the former embodiment of Fig. 1 can be achieved.
Abstract
An air bag system for an automotive vehicle includes gas generator means for generating a pressurized gas for expanding an air bag for restricting movement of a passenger and thus for preventing the passenger from colliding onto the vehicular interior facility and/or a windshield. The gas generator means comprises a low pressure gas generator (2) and a high pressure gas generator (3) having mutually different gas generation capacity. Upon collision, the low pressure gas generator (2) is triggered to fire at earlier timing than that of the high pressure gas generator (3) for reducing impact exerted on the passenger at the initial stage of air bag actuation.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to an air bag system for protecting passenger in an automotive vehicle from collision onto vehicular interior facility, window and so forth in case of accident. More specifically, the invention relates to an air bag system which has dual gas generators and can reduce shock on the driver upon firing.
- In modern automotive technologies, it is becoming popular to facilitate an air bag system for protecting passenger from collision onto the vehicular cabin facilities or front window. For example, SAE paper SP-736, P108, "Automatic Occupant Protection System", discloses an air bag system, particularly adapted for protection of passenger on an assist seat. The proposed air bag system employs dual gas generators for firing at different timing so that the internal pressure in the air bag can be risen in two different pressure rising characteristics.
- Such proposal may achieve in certain degree of reduction of initial shock to be exerted on the passenger upon initial firing of the first gas generator. This can be achieved by utilizing smaller capacity gas generator than that employs singular gas generator. However, on the other hand, since the proposed duel gas generator system employs two equal capacity gas generators, level of reduction of shock on the passenger is not satisfactory.
- Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air bag system which can provide satisfactory reduction of initial shock on the passenger at the initial stage of firing without causing degradation of passenger protecting performance.
- In order to accomplish aforementioned and other objects, an air bag system for an automotive vehicle, according to the present invention, includes gas generator means for generating a pressurized gas for expanding an air bag for restricting movement of a passenger and thus for preventing the passenger from colliding onto the vehicular interior facility and/or a windshield. The gas generator means comprises a low pressure gas generator and a high pressure gas generator having mutually different gas generation capacity. Upon collision, the low pressure gas generator is triggered to fire at earlier timing that that of the high pressure gas generator for reducing impact exerted on the passenger at the initial stage of air bag actuation.
- According to one aspect of the invention, an air bag system for an automotive vehicle, comprises:
a first gas generator for generating a first pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag;
a second gas generator for generating a second pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag, the second pressure level being so selected as to be higher than that of the first level and that the total pressure level of the first and second pressure levels is satisfies a required level for restricting passenger's movement;
a power source for supplying power for firing the first and gas generator in response to detection of vehicular collision; and
a delay means for providing a given delay in power supply for the second gas generator so that the second gas generator is triggered with the given delay time from trigger timing of the first gas generator. - Preferably, the delay means comprises an ON-delay timer for providing delay time corresponding to a preset time constant.
- The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given herebelow and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiment but are for explanation and understanding only.
- In the drawings:
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical illustration of the preferred embodiment of an air bag system according to the present invention; and
- Fig. 2 is an illustration showing modification of means for providing lag timing in firing dual gas generators.
- Referring now to the drawings, particularly to Fig. 1, the preferred embodiment of an air bag system, according to the present invention, has an air bag unit 1 which is facilitated on a instrument panel in front of an assist seat of the vehicle. The air bag system is provided with a low
pressure gas generator 2 and a highpressure gas generator 3. The capacities of the lowpressure gas generator 2 and the highpressure gas generator 3 are selected so that the gas generation capacity of the lowpressure gas generator 2 is smaller than that of the highpressure gas generator 3 and the total gas generation capacity is that required for restricting the passenger's movement for preventing the passenger from colliding onto the vehicular interior facility and/or the front windshield. The lowpressure gas generator 2 and the highpressure gas generator 3 are connected to connected between avehicular battery 4 as a power source and acollision sensor 5, in parallel relationship to each other. A delay means 6 is provided in series to the high pressure gas generator. The delay means 6 may comprise a timer circuit having a time constant of 10 msec to 30 msec. - Another
air bag unit 7 is installed in asteering wheel 9 for protecting the driver from collision onto the steering wheel and/or the front windshield. Theair bag unit 7 has a hasgenerator 8. Thegas generator 8 is connected between thebattery 4 and thecollision sensor 5 in parallel relationship to the low and highpressure gas generators - With the shown construction, the
collision sensor 5 detects collision of the vehicle. Principally, thecollision sensor 5 detects front side collision to establish closed circuit acrossrespective gas generators gas generators pressure gas generator 3 is delayed by thedelay timer 6, the highpressure gas generator 3 is held non fired state. After expiration of the predetermined delay period, the highpressure gas generator 3 is fired to rapidly increase the gas pressure in the air bag opposing the assist seat. - As can be appreciated herefrom, since the air bag for the passenger on the assist seat is initially expanded with relatively low pressure gas generated by the low
pressure gas generator 2, the impact to be exerted on the assist seat passenger at the initial stage of air bag actuation can be successfully reduced. However, since thepressure gas generators - Therefore, the invention fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor.
- While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of the preferred embodiment in order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in various ways without departing from the principle of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all possible embodiments and modifications to the shown embodiments which can be embodied without departing from the principle of the invention set out in the appended claims.
- For example, the delay means may be modified as shown in Fig. 2. In the shown embodiment, a switching transistor 11 is provided in a circuit connecting the high
pressure gas generator 3 to thebattery 4. The switching transistor 11 has the base electrode connected to thebattery 4 via adelay timer 6. With the shown circuit construction, the switching transistor 11 is maintained non-conductive for a given period determined by the time constant of the delay timer. Therefore, similar delay of trigger timing in firing the gas generator to that of the former embodiment of Fig. 1 can be achieved.
Claims (2)
1. An air bag system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
a first gas generator for generating a first pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag;
a second gas generator for generating a second pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag, said second pressure level being so selected as to be higher than that of said first level and that the total pressure level of said first and second pressure levels is satisfies a required level for restricting passenger's movement;
a power source for supplying power for firing said first and gas generator in response to detection of vehicular collision; and
a delay means for providing a given delay in power supply for second gas generator so that said second gas generator is triggered with the given delay time from trigger timing of said first gas generator.
a first gas generator for generating a first pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag;
a second gas generator for generating a second pressure level of pressurized gas for expanding an air bag, said second pressure level being so selected as to be higher than that of said first level and that the total pressure level of said first and second pressure levels is satisfies a required level for restricting passenger's movement;
a power source for supplying power for firing said first and gas generator in response to detection of vehicular collision; and
a delay means for providing a given delay in power supply for second gas generator so that said second gas generator is triggered with the given delay time from trigger timing of said first gas generator.
2. An air bag system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said delay means comprises an ON-delay timer for providing delay time corresponding to a preset time constant.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP129890/89 | 1989-05-23 | ||
JP1129890A JPH02310143A (en) | 1989-05-23 | 1989-05-23 | Air bag device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0399498A1 true EP0399498A1 (en) | 1990-11-28 |
Family
ID=15020886
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90109807A Withdrawn EP0399498A1 (en) | 1989-05-23 | 1990-05-23 | Air bag system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5067744A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0399498A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH02310143A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5286054A (en) * | 1989-12-04 | 1994-02-15 | Talley Automotive Products, Inc. | Aspirating/venting motor vehicle passenger airbag module |
WO1999028168A1 (en) * | 1997-11-27 | 1999-06-10 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle passenger protection system with several priming caps, and process for driving the ignition circuit of such a passenger protection system |
EP0931706A1 (en) * | 1998-01-27 | 1999-07-28 | Takata Corporation | Device and method for protecting a vehicle occupant |
US6260877B1 (en) | 1999-12-30 | 2001-07-17 | William J. Rasmussen, Sr. | Soft shell air bag |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE4032757A1 (en) * | 1990-10-16 | 1992-04-23 | Daimler Benz Ag | VEHICLE WITH A BELT AND AIRBAG SYSTEM |
US5301902A (en) * | 1992-11-09 | 1994-04-12 | Kalberer Robert C | Aircraft airbag protection apparatus and method |
US5335884A (en) * | 1992-11-09 | 1994-08-09 | Kalberer Rober C | Adaptable aircraft airbag protection apparatus and method |
US5411289A (en) * | 1993-10-29 | 1995-05-02 | Morton International, Inc. | Air bag system for a motor vehicle |
US5400487A (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1995-03-28 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Variable inflation system for vehicle safety restraint |
JPH07309196A (en) * | 1994-05-18 | 1995-11-28 | Nippondenso Co Ltd | Air bag device |
US5803491A (en) * | 1997-02-28 | 1998-09-08 | General Motors Corporation | Supplemental inflatable restraint disabling system |
JP3875382B2 (en) | 1997-12-05 | 2007-01-31 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Airbag deployment method in airbag device |
JPH11263188A (en) * | 1998-03-19 | 1999-09-28 | Asuko Kk | Method and device for start control of occupant crash protection device and recording medium with start control program for occupant crash protection device recorded on it |
JP4129758B2 (en) | 1998-08-10 | 2008-08-06 | 俊毅 内田 | Airbag device |
US6168200B1 (en) | 1998-12-01 | 2001-01-02 | Atlantic Research Corporation | Dual level inflator |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3758131A (en) * | 1972-01-11 | 1973-09-11 | Allied Chem | Inflation apparatus for safety device |
US3884497A (en) * | 1973-10-30 | 1975-05-20 | Allied Chem | Inflation differential control for multiple bag restraint system |
DE2516185A1 (en) * | 1974-04-15 | 1975-10-23 | Ikeda Bussan Co | SAFETY DEVICE FOR VEHICLES |
GB2005887A (en) * | 1977-10-11 | 1979-04-25 | Daimler Benz Ag | Air bag systems for protecting the occupants of motor vehicles |
DE3809074A1 (en) * | 1988-03-18 | 1989-10-05 | Audi Ag | Safety system for motor vehicles, including an inflatable crash protection cushion |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3231800A1 (en) * | 1982-08-26 | 1984-03-01 | Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart | SENSOR |
US4698107A (en) * | 1986-12-24 | 1987-10-06 | Trw Automotive Products, Inc. | Gas generating material |
-
1989
- 1989-05-23 JP JP1129890A patent/JPH02310143A/en active Pending
-
1990
- 1990-05-23 EP EP90109807A patent/EP0399498A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-05-23 US US07/527,474 patent/US5067744A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3758131A (en) * | 1972-01-11 | 1973-09-11 | Allied Chem | Inflation apparatus for safety device |
US3884497A (en) * | 1973-10-30 | 1975-05-20 | Allied Chem | Inflation differential control for multiple bag restraint system |
DE2516185A1 (en) * | 1974-04-15 | 1975-10-23 | Ikeda Bussan Co | SAFETY DEVICE FOR VEHICLES |
GB2005887A (en) * | 1977-10-11 | 1979-04-25 | Daimler Benz Ag | Air bag systems for protecting the occupants of motor vehicles |
DE3809074A1 (en) * | 1988-03-18 | 1989-10-05 | Audi Ag | Safety system for motor vehicles, including an inflatable crash protection cushion |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5286054A (en) * | 1989-12-04 | 1994-02-15 | Talley Automotive Products, Inc. | Aspirating/venting motor vehicle passenger airbag module |
WO1999028168A1 (en) * | 1997-11-27 | 1999-06-10 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle passenger protection system with several priming caps, and process for driving the ignition circuit of such a passenger protection system |
EP0931706A1 (en) * | 1998-01-27 | 1999-07-28 | Takata Corporation | Device and method for protecting a vehicle occupant |
US6260877B1 (en) | 1999-12-30 | 2001-07-17 | William J. Rasmussen, Sr. | Soft shell air bag |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US5067744A (en) | 1991-11-26 |
JPH02310143A (en) | 1990-12-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19900523 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE GB |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19920917 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19950109 |